During my trip through Latin America I have participated both in Mexico and in Guatemala one week of Spanish courses. I can not say that I had been looking forward to it. Every day was a new overcome, but I am reliably and went always nice for price.
To learn Spanish, was not my first priority. I wanted to write rather texts in time to tinker with my books or bring new projects forward. And yet I did it. For reasons I had enough.
1. I’ll get 5 years after school
I wanted to treat myself to what my school does not allow. At that time they clapped us on the French, without alternatives. I always hated it, and how this is so, if we learn things that do not interest us: We forget. I can today, despite five years of teaching understood not a single sentence, let alone speak for. Had French my only foreign language, you might think, I may not languages. But that’s not true. My English is very good, I practice every day voluntarily (with books, films, the Internet, while traveling).
Spanish would have probably liked it better. I find the language beautiful and useful than French.
2. Better Travel in Latin America
To take a first: Yes, it also comes with English through the region. I have repeatedly made without speaking only a Spanish sentence. It is, but it is not optimal.
It makes even more fun, not only moronic to watch and shrug. There are fewer misunderstandings, I get more of what I want.
3. I understand the culture better
Of course I get a foreign language much more from the people and their culture with. It’s not that I’m sitting on the bus and let me tell of the lives of people. But I understand a lot of what is spoken around me. Even with tour guides I can communicate better.
With my teachers I have each spent a pretty intense week and learned a lot from her life. Thus I have a much better idea of what it means to live in the middle class in Mexico or Guatemala.
4. I love variety
A new language is something else again. Something new in my life. I like these small changes. Did I mention that I have a horror one always the same everyday (so comfortable he is)?
5. I develop further
At my age I do not have to learn. I should, but nobody is forcing me, and that’s why I have to take into their own hands. Now I speak a new language, wow! I have significantly expanded my skills. Not for my resume. I’ll probably never write another one. But for myself. I have broadened my horizons, rather than only occur on the spot. I might become a better person.
6. I make myself vulnerable
However, I learn more than just Spanish. Learning a foreign language is a little scary. I try something that I can not. I must do something in which mistakes are inevitable. I can express not chosen me, but speak the words of that come to mind spontaneously. For introverts to get used to.
But this vulnerability is good, she lets us grow. Ultimately, we are courageous and expand our comfort zone.
Related Items In recent days, I came several times to the TED Talk by Brene Brown entitled The Power of Vulnerability (worth seeing).